Spate of theft at Lammas Fair

McAuley Multimedia.. 24/08/15- The Lammas Fair in Ballycastle Co Antrim gets underway with thousands of people flocking to the seaside town to enjoy dulse, Yellowman and all the other fun of the Fair. The Lammas Fair is the Oldest Traditional Fair in Ireland celebrating the end of the summer and start of the years harvest. over 300,000 people come to the town over two days. Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

Una Culkin

A large number of burglaries in the greater Ballycastle area has been condemned by independent Causeway Coast and Glens Councillor Padraig McShane over the week leading up to and during the Oul Lammas Fair.

Councillor McShane said: “While it is easy to point the finger at a tiny minority of the many thousands of visitors who made their way to the Fair, it is clear that some robberies must have been aided and abetted by local knowledge.

“Property, vehicles and in particular, homes were broken into violating the main sanctuary of a family’s life. It is important that anyone with any knowledge come forward.”

Cllr McShane also blamed a reduction in policing hours.

“Policing has now been reduced to what is essentially an information clearing house for insurance companies with extremely limited proactive prevention measures being deployed to reassure residents in their own homes,” he said.

“That coupled with a desire to implement more Stormont cuts only lends itself to enhance criminal enterprise.

Chief Inspector Catherine Magee of Causeway Coast and Glens police said: “We identified the beginning of this crime series at an early stage and quickly allocated resources to the area. We also provided crime prevention advice to local people via social media and through local newspapers and radio stations.

“The investigations are ongoing and we are working hard to bring the people involved in these burglaries before the courts.”